CVE-2017-2209 in Houkokusyo Sakusei Shien Tool
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in the installer of Houkokusyo Sakusei Shien Tool ver3.0.2 (For the first installation) (The version which was available on the website from 2017 April 4 to 2017 May 18) and ver2.0 and later (For the first installation) (The versions which were available on the website prior to 2017 April 4) allows an attacker to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in an unspecified directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2209 represents a critical untrusted search path weakness in the installation process of Houkokusyo Sakusei Shien Tool software versions 2.0 through 3.0.2. This flaw specifically affects the first-time installation procedures of these applications, creating a pathway for privilege escalation attacks through malicious code injection. The vulnerability stems from the installer's failure to properly validate or sanitize the search paths used during the installation process, allowing attackers to place malicious DLL files in directories that the installer will automatically search. This particular software is designed for document creation support in Japanese administrative contexts, making it a target for attackers seeking to compromise government or organizational systems. The affected versions were distributed between April 4 and May 18, 2017, with earlier versions prior to April 4 also vulnerable, indicating a prolonged window of exposure. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-426 Untrusted Search Path, which is a well-documented weakness where applications execute or load components from directories that are not properly validated. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under T1068 Valid Accounts and T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code with elevated privileges. The technical implementation involves the installer's automatic directory traversal behavior where it searches for required components in a predefined order, including user-writable directories that attackers can manipulate. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows for privilege escalation without requiring user interaction, as the installation process typically runs with elevated privileges. The Trojan horse DLL attack vector specifically exploits the fact that the installer does not implement proper path validation or use absolute paths for component loading, creating an opportunity for attackers to place malicious files in the search path. The impact extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation could result in full system compromise, data exfiltration, or persistent backdoor installation. Organizations using these vulnerable versions should immediately implement mitigations including updating to patched versions, implementing proper access controls on installation directories, and conducting thorough security audits of installed software. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in installer components, as demonstrated by the Common Weakness Enumeration standard that emphasizes the need for applications to avoid insecure search paths. This issue serves as a reminder of the critical security implications of installation processes and the need for comprehensive security testing of all software components that execute with elevated privileges. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions indicates a systemic issue in the software development lifecycle where proper security controls were not implemented during the initial design phases. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability when assessing risk in environments where legacy software remains in use, as the attack surface extends beyond the immediate software to include potential compromise of entire network infrastructures. The remediation approach should include not only updating the vulnerable software but also implementing broader security measures such as application whitelisting, directory permission controls, and monitoring for unauthorized DLL placements in system directories.